myers



(No Model.) QSheets-Sheet 1.

F. MYERS. TYPE WRITING MAGHINE.

Patented Dec. 16. 1890'.

\ I I l In Wxtqassas THERNGRRIS PEYERS cu., mow-um (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

P. MYERS. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

No. 442,820. Patented Dec. 16. 1890.

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m: nunms PETEIIS 20., wow-mun. wAskmuYon, n, c.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

P. MYERS. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

No. 442 820. Patented Deo. 16. 1890.

llllllllllllillln (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4. F. MYERS. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

No. 442,820. Patented Dec. 16.1890.

\XM EEEE UNTTED STATEs PATENT Orrrcn.

FREDERICK MYERS, OF LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 442,820, dated December 16, 1890.

Application filed Tnlv 16, 1889. Serial No. 3l'7i 89- N model- Patented in England April 9, 1889, No. 6,093 1 in Germany June 4,1889,No.50,6163 in France October 5, 1889, No. 201,128, and in Belgium October 5, 1889,1 To. 87,967.

T 0 all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK MYERS, engineer, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, in the Kingdom of England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-Vriting Machines, (for which I have received Letters Patent in England, No. 6,093, dated April E), 1889; in France, No. 201,128, dated October 5,1889; in Belgium, No. 87,967, dated October 5, 1889, and in Germany, No. 50,616, dated June 4:, 1880,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that kind of typewriting machines in which the type are arranged above the paper-carriage or platen upon the peripheries of one or more vertical disks, the said disk, or each disk, (if there be more than one,) being rotated into a given position for each type thereon, the relative amounts of such rotation depending upon the relative distances to which the type-key levers or mechanism in connection therewith are or is depressed. Certain portions of the mechanism are, however, applicable to typewriting machines other than the above.

The machine herein described is in some respects similar to that set forth in my former patent specification, Serial No. 310,696; and the present invention relates more especially to the operating of the type-Wheel, to the locking of the same in its exact position for printing, to the spacing of the words and characters, to the locking of the platen, to the raising of the platen to print, to the subsequent automatic release of the same, and to various details of construction.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan of the machine, parts being shown broken away and other parts removed. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the right-hand end of the machine. Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 2, the type-wheellocking mechanism, type-wheel, type-wheel standard, mechanism supported thereby, platen, platen-locking mechanism, tc, being removed, and parts being also broken away. Fig. ,1 is a sectional view of a detached portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the left-hand end of the machine. Fig. (5 is a section showing a paper-clipping device. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation 0n the line a: 00, Fig. 1, with parts removed. Fig. 8 is a detail View (sectional elevation) showing an arrangement for locking the platen during the printing operation. Fig. 9 is a similar view showing an arrangement for spacing the characters. Figs. 1.0 and 10 show a detail of the type-wheel oper ating and the platenpperating mechanism, which will be fully described hereinafter. Figs. 11 and 12 are respectively a front and side elevation showing a modification of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a part section on line y 3 Fig. 1, showing a device employed in connection with the platen raising mechanism and described more fully hereinafter. Figs. 14 and 15 are respectively an end and front elevation showing a slightly-modified form of typewheellocking mechanism and a device for preventing rebound or vibration in the type-wheel. Figs. 16 and 17 are diagrammatic views illustrating the manner of constructing the locking-wheel shown in Figs. 11 and 15. Fig. 18 shows a modified arrangement of platen-raising mechanism.

A is the main frame or bed of the machine, which may be conveniently secured by legs A and screws A to a base-plate or table A. Upon one end of the main frame A there is mounted an overhanging standard B, which serves to support the typewheel H and other mechanism hereinafter described, the shaft h of the type-wheel being extended forward, as in Figs. 1 and 2, and supported at its forward end by a standard B formed, preferably,in one with the main frame. The type wheel H is firmly secured to its shaft 71., and is capable of being oscillated about and moved longitudinally upon its axis in a manner hereinafter described. The said axis, which is approximately horizontal, is placed transversely to the platen or paper-carriage R below it, and the type-wheel is located with its periphery in close proximity to that of the platen, as seen in Fig. 2.

The type are arranged upon the type-wheel H in parallel circular groups X Y Z, preferably three in number. One group or circle of typeas, for instance, X-contains the capitals and the stops or signs most frequently used therewith, a second group, as Z, embraces the small letters with their usual stops, &c.,while the third group Y, which is preferably the central one, includes the numerals and those stops, signs, or characters which are seldom used. By thus arranging the type in two or more parallel rows the diameter and weight of the type-wheel may be greatly reduced. Any particular group of type may be brought into position above the axis of the platen by simply pushing back or pulling forward the shaft h by means of the button It.

The type-wheel may be readily adjustedand held in any of its three longitudinal positions by a spring-catch device K K such as set forth in my former patent specification above cited, and which offers no impediment to the free oscillation of thewheel.

Each type in a group is provided with a corresponding finger or type key C. All the keysare arranged in a convenient manner in the front of the machine,and each key is carried by a type-key lever C, which operates the type-wheel by mechanism hereinafter described, and is so arranged with reference to said mechanism that when depressed it rorates the type-wheel into a different position, that position being of course the one which is necessary to bring the type corresponding to the depressed key into position for printing.

The type-key levers C are arranged in a parallel series, as shown in Fig. 1, and are pivoted at their rear ends on a type-key lever shaft D, which is supported at one end in the standard B aforesaid and at the other end in a lug B, formed, preferably, in one with the main frame A. The forward ends of the levers C are guided by the slots 0 in a comb-plate C fixed to the front of the machine, as in Figs. 1 and 3. The rear ends of the levers may be held against lateral play by collars on the shaft D, or the said rear ends may each be provided with a tail 0 which works in a suitable slot 0, Figs. 1, 4, and '7, in a guide-plate e fixed behind the shaft. The guide-plate 0 may be attached to or formed in one with a bridge-piece 0 which is supported upon the short standards B cast with the main frame.

Each lever C is held normally in its elevated position in contact with a fixed checkrod 0 by means of a lever-elevating spring 0, all the springs being preferably stamped out of a single piece of sheet metal, which is secured to the under side of the bridge-piece c by screws, as at c Figs. 1 and 4. The downward movement of the levers is limited by the lower ends of the oombslots c, which are all located at the same distance from the under sides of their respective levers, so that. each of the latter has the same amount of travel.

Each lever C is preferably connected with its shaft in such a manner that it may be readily and quickly removed when required without disturbing the other levers or the lever-shaft. This may be accomplished by cutting away the'upper portion of each levereye, as at d, Figs. 1 and 4, so that it bears onlyon the lower half of the shafts periphery. The end of the lever is simply slipped under the shaft until its eye coincides therewith, and the lever-elevating spring 0 then presses the eye into place and retains it there.

The type-wheel shaft h carries a pinion K, which gears with the toothed quadrant. F mounted loosely upon a fixed horizontal shaft F, Figs. 2 and 7, projecting from the typewheel standard B.

F is a second pinion, also mounted on the shaft F and movable with the quadrant F The pinion F gears with a vertical rack F secured to the side of a frame G which is hinged at its rear edge, as at a to the main' frame A of the machine, and is held normally in its raised position by a spring 0 Figs. 1, 3, and 7, inserted between. a lug on the frame and an arm A of the main frame. The upward movement of the frame C is limited by a stop c" on the frame, which rests against the type-key-lever shaft D or a collar thereon, as in Figs. 1, 3, and f).

The front edge of the hinged frame 0* is provided with a projecting rib 0 which lies transversely below the type-key lever C, and is adapted to be struck by the same when depressed. The rib c f is preferably inclined from one end to the other, as shown in Figs. 5 and 11, so that the striking-points of the rib all lie at different distances below their respective levers, and the movement of the latter being constant each lever will when depressed depress the frame C" to a different point, and will consequently, through the gearing F F F K, rotate the type-wheel into a different position-that is, into the position required to print with the corresponding type.

Instead of an inclined rib, as shown, a stepped or curved rib may be employed, the type or type-keys being arranged accordingly, or a series of adjustable screws 0, such as shown in Fig. 10, may be employed in lieu of the rib.

The typo-wheel may be locked in position prior to the printing operation by the following arrangement: The type-wheel shaft h is provided with a locking-wheel having a series of teeth on its periphery corresponding in number and relative angular position with the type on the type-wheel. In order to reduce the diameter of this locking-wheel and at the same time to increase the pitch of its teeth, it is preferable to place several small wheels, (say five, such as 11 11 side by side upon the type-wheel shaft 71, and to form each with a corresponding number of teeth H Fig. 7, (say one-fifth of the total number,) the teeth in each wheel being set-in advance of the teeth in the others, as seen in Fig. 7. The wheels may be formed separately, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or in a piece, as described hereinafter. A locking arm or lever L", Figs. 1, 2, and 7, is arranged with its up- IIO per end L in proximity to each locking-wheel H and is connected with suitable mechanism in such a manner that each time a typekey lever corresponding to the said wheel is depressed the end L of the arm is moved into engagement with the corresponding tooth H on the locking-wheel and arrests the motion of the latter as soon as the proper type is in position for printing by reason of the contact between the edge of the locking-arm and a fixed arm L carried by the standard B To effect the movement of an arm L it is pivoted at its lower end, as at F, to the main frame, at which point it is provided with a short approximately horizontal arm or projection L Each of the above projections L is engaged by a lever E, lying transversely below and in proximity to the type-key levers C and pivoted (at its end remote from the type-wheel, as at c) to the main frame A or to a part carried by the frame. Each time a type-key lever is depressed it depresses the corresponding transverse lever, E below it, preferably by means of the pins e thereon, and the transverse lever in its turn depresses the short projection L of the corresponding locking-arm and causes the upper end L of the arm to move into engagement with its locking-wheel. The upper ends of the pins 6 are placed at such a distance fromtheirlevers (having regard to their distance from the pivot e that the locking-arm L only begins to move into position as the proper locking-tooth H is approaching it. The outer ends of the levers E may be guided by the pins (2 Fig. 7, on their under sides, the said pins passing through holes in the fixed plate 2 on the main frame. After each depression of a transverse lever E it, together with its locking-arm L,is returned to its normal position by a spring a, the said springs being attached to the plate (2 aforesaid. The return of the levers E is also assisted by a spring a hereinafter described. The locking-arms L are held in their normal position bythe contact between their heels Z Figs. 2 and 7, and the main frame, and the upward movement of the levers is limited by the stop 6 hereinafter described, and by the contact between the lever ends 6 and the lower edges of the projections L Each transverse lever is connected with the further depression of a type-key lever to per- I form the printing'operation, as hereinafter set forth. It is preferable for a similar reason to mount the pivot e of the transverse levers upon a short link E, Figs. 1, 5, and 7, or similar movable part in such a manner that the pivot may have a certain amount of downward movement. The link and pivot are upheld by an elevating-spring c and the up: ward movement of thelink and the pivot ends of the levers is limited by a stop 6 which on: gages the upper side of the link.

The locking-wheels H H and pinion K are all mounted as a whole upon the type-wheel shaft h in such a manner that the latter can be slid longitudinally without moving the wheels and pinion, the longitudinal movement of the latter being prevented by the forked bracket 7L3, Figs. 1 and 2, that rests in a peripheral groove h in the boss of the pinion.

It will be evident that an arrangement of transverse lever and locking-arm similar to the above could be employed, though not so advantageously, with a single locking-wheel. The platen R lies transversely below the shaft 71, with its periphery in close proximity to that of the typc-wheel. The platen may be turned to space the lines by a milled wheel r such spacing being performed by a ratchet and spring-pawl device 7" r of any well-known construction. The platen is mounted in a platen-frame R, which is capable of sliding upon a bed S in a direction parallel to the platen axis.

T is a reciprocatory spacing-rack, such as set forth in my patent specification, above cited. It is conveniently mounted upon the platen-bed S by slot-and-pin connections t Figs. 7 and 8,and is held normallyin its position farthest to the right by a spring The rackteeth are preferably made of a pitch equal to the space required for a character or between two words, and they are engaged in one direetion only by a pawl 25*, carried by the sliding platen-frame B, so that each time the rack is drawn along toward the left the platen is also drawn along in the same direction.

The spacing of the words may be accomplished by a separate word-spacing lever G Figs. 1, 5, and 7, which is pivoted, as at G, upon the main frame, preferably at its end remote from the type-wheel, and is provided at one end with an upright inclined or Wedgeshaped finger G which engages a pin 25 on the spacing-rack T when the front end of the lever is depressed and draws the said rack and the platen along for the required distance. The movement of the lever G is controlled by the stop G, and a spring G returns the lever after each operation into the position shown, in which position it is held by a stop G The spacing-rack is returned into its normal position by the spring t aforesaid.

The spacing of the characters may beaccomplished on the depression of a type-key lever as follows, reference being had to Figs. 1, 2,and 9: A spacing-frame PP, hinged to the main frame at its rear edge, preferably upon the pivot a aforesaid, and held normally raised by a spring P, Figs. 1 and 2, carries at its front edge a spacing-bar P, which rests against the lower sides of the type-key. levers, so that the frame is turned upon its hinge- ICC axis at each depression of a type-keylev er. An approximately horizontal shaft V, journaled upon the main frame Aor on the type wheel standard B, is provided with an approximately horizontal arm V and with a more or less upright arm V. 'The arm V is connected by a link V with the side 1? of the spacing-frame, whereby the arm is drawn downward at each depression of said frame by a type-key lever, so that the upright arm V, which engages a pin 25' or its equivalent on the spacing-rack T, is moved sidewise and slides the said rack (and consequently the platen) a distance sufficient to space a character. The connection between the link V and arm V is made by an elongated slot '0 in the upper end of the link, through which the end of the arm projects, and a stiif spring e is inserted between the upper side of the arm and the upper end of the slotn, for a reason which will appear hereinafter.

The platen R may be locked prior to each printing operation as follows: A rack T, Figs. 2 and 8, having its teeth of the same pitch as the aforesaid spacing-rack T, is secured to the sliding platen-frame R, preferably on its under side. A pivoted pawl T carried by the bed S, which supports the platen-frame, is raised into engagement with the rack T as soon as the platen has been moved the required distance and looks it during the subsequent printing operation. The raising of the pawl T may be accomplished by any suitable means, such as by a sloping projection or shoe T which is carried by the sliding spacing-rack T, and in its movement forward with the rack engages and raises a projecting pin T on the aforesaid pawl, so that the pointed extremity of the latter is placed in front of the rack-tooth above it and prevents the further movement of the rack and platen. The shoe T is returned with the rack T by the spring i and the pawl is withdrawn from the rack by the contact between the upper side of the shoe and the pawl-pin T The bed S is hinged, so that it and the platen thereon may be raised toward the type-wheel toperform the operation of printing. It is preferable to hinge the bed upon .a pivot s at the left end of the bedthat is, at its end remote from the type wheelas by this means there is no danger of producing a smeared impression when the paper is pressed against the type. The free end of the bed S is provided with a tubular projection s Figs. 2 and S, which rests upon a projection s on the machine-bed A, and thus supports the bed S normally in the same position. The projection s is also provided with an upright pin 5 which rests Within the tubular projection .9 and serves to prevent any lateral movement in the bed S while it is rising and falling during the working of the machine. The weight of the bed, platen, &c., is also taken off the platen-raising mechanism, hereinafter described, by means of a spring .9", surrounding the projection 3 The printing operation is performed by raising the right-hand end of the bed S and the platen by the action of a type-key lever during the latter portion of its travel and af-. ter the adjusting and locking of the type wheel.

To allow of the above further depression of a type-key lever Without a corresponding movement in the type-wheel and its connecting mechanism, the lever-shaft D is made capable of a certain amount of upward movement. To this end it is mounted in elongated slots (1 in the standard B and lug B, its rotary movement being prevented by the facets d on its extremity. (SeeFig. 5.) The shaft is locked in its lowest position by a sliding locking-bar D, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 13, which is mounted in the standard B and lug l3 aforesaid directly above the shaft. The bar D carries two projecting pieces D Figs. and 13, on its under side, which bear against the upper faces of two pins or projections D on the lover-shaft. The end of the bar D beyond the standard B has a forked piece D, Figs. 2 and 13, which is engaged by an approximately upright arm D carried by the arm V aforesaid, so that each time the spacing-frame P P, connected with said arm, is depressed by a type-key lever the locking-bar D is slid toward the left, and at the proper moment the projections D on the bar are clear of the pins D on the shaft. The barD prevents the upward movement of the shaft until a lever-O has depressed the frame into its proper position for adj usting the type-wheel. The latter is at this mo ment firmly locked, as above described, and the frame 0 is unable to descend farther.

At the same moment the movement of the.

bar D has released the shaft D, so that the continued pressure on the front end of the type-key lever causes it to turn about the rib e as a fulcrum and to raise the shaft D with its rear end, thus permitting such additional downward movement in the front end of .the type-key lever as is necessary to perform the printing operation in the manner hereinafter described. On the release of the lever C the shaft is returned to its normal position by springs (1 which are attached to the main frame A and press downward upon links d Figs. 3 and 13. These are hooked over the shaft at each end thereof, and each carries a projecting pin cl or its equivalent, upon which rests the forked end of the spring (Z The locking-bar is returned into its normal position on the release of the lever by the spacingframe spring P Instead of the above arrangement for permitting an additional movement in the typekey levers, the following device may be employed, reference being had to Figs. and 10; The vertical rack F", which serves to transmit the movements of the hinged frame (1 to the type-wheel through the medium of the gearing F F K aforesaid, is mounted upon the hinged frame, as shown, in .such a manner that it is capable of sliding thereon.

for a limited distance in an approximately vertical direction. The rack is connected to the hinged frame C by a suitable spring which is attached to the frame at and holds the rack down in the position shown, with its projecting lug f resting against the top of the frame. The spring is preferably connected to the rack in a movable manner, such as by the headed pin f which passes through a slot f in the end of the spring, and a recess f is formed in the frame to give the spring freedom of movement. The spring f is of such a strength that the rack is prevented from sliding upon the frame until such time as the type-wheel has been locked in position by one of the arms L. The shaft D has in this case no vertical movement, and the continued pressure on the type-key lever depresses the hinged frame 0 in defiance of the spring f* and without moving the rack F as the latter is held firmly by its engagement with its pinion F. During the above additional movement of any type-key lever the latter depresses a pivoted frame J J J by means of a bar J at the front of the frame and lying transversely below the levers. The

Y frame is capable of turning about its rear edge J and is provided at one end with a rearwardly-projecting arm J the toe J Figs. 2 and 3, of which rests normally against a piece J mounted on the under side of the hinged platen-bed S, so thatthe depression of the front portion of the frame by the lever C causes the plate R to be raised against the type-wheel. The toe J of the arm J has a salient upper end, which rests against a salient projectionj on the piece J Thelatter is pivoted, as atj', upon the bed S, the pivot being placed to the rear of the toe, so that during the upward movement of the toe the latter tends to press the forwardly-projecting toej of the piece J against the under side of the bed S. The relative positions of the salient end of the toe J and the salient projection j are such that as soon as the paper on the platen has been pressed against the type the slight forward movement of the toe J (due to the oscillation of its arm J causes the projection j to slip off its salient end, and thus allows the bed and platen to fall to their original positions. The downward movement of the lever O is immediately arrested by the lower end of its guiding-slot c and the frame J J J is 'returned into its normal position against the stops J, Figs. 2 and 5, by the flat spring J The pivoted piece J is returned to its original position by the counter-balancefi.

To prevent the above increased movement of the type-key levers from interfering with the proper working of transverse levers E by straining their flexible connections 6 it is preferable to pivot the latter levers upon the movable link E, as aforedescribed, so that they may move downward more or less bodily during such increased movement. The said increased movement also causes the spacingframe P P to be depressed after the spacing operation, and this additional movement in the spacing-frame is permitted without a corresponding movement in the spacing-rack by the stilf spring o Fig. 9, aforesaid, which 1 s of such a strength that it will not yield until the movement of the arm V has been arrested by thelocking of the platen. 4

Instead of actuating the platen rais ng frame J J J during the latter portion of a key-levers travel, as above described, the frame may be depressed by means of a separate lever immediately after the movement of a type-key lever has been arrested by strllring the bottom of its guiding-slot 0 This arrangement may be understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 18. A lever J is .mounted at its rear end upon the main frame, preferably upon the check-rod c and is connectedin any suitable manner with the front bar J of the frame, as by a stem j*, which rests normally against the upper side of the rod. The lever is provided at its forward end with a finger-keyj, and its position in plan may be seen in dotted lines in Fig. 1. WV hen a separate printing-lever J is employed, the lower ends of the lever-guiding slots 0 or the upper edge of the rib a are or'is placed at such a shorter distance from the under sides'of the levers O that the latter will be brought to a standstill at about the same point that they would otherwise have come in contact with the bar J. The above arrangementobviates the necessity of providing a vertical movement for the lever-shaft. D (or of making the rack F movable upon its frame O and of providing a spring-connection "v" o 111 the spacing mechanism.

Instead of forming the locking-wheels separately, as in Figs. 1 and 2,they may be formed in a piece as follows, reference being had to Figs. 1-1 to 17: The rim of the combined wheel is stamped out of a piece of sheet metal k in the form shown in Fig. 17, the locking-teeth H being formed by the stepped edges of the diagonal bars 72-. This strip of metal h" 1s then bent round a skeleton boss 7L7, as in Fig. 1G, and securely soldered or brazed to it, the adjacent ends h being also firmly united in a similar manner. The steps in the bars h are so located that when the wheel is complete, as in Figs. ll and 15, their relative angular positions correspond to those of the type on the type-wheel. To prevent the lllIl of the boss from interfering with the movement of the locking-arms L, and also to still further lighten the wheel, the said rim is cut away, as at h, 16, after the rim h" of the wheel has been attached. top of Fig. 17 shows the direction in which the teeth ll engage the locking-arm L By the above construction a very light, cheap, and sufficiently strong lockingwheel is obtained.

To prevent any rebound or vibration in the typc-wheel during the operation of printing The arrow at the when the machine is being worked rapidly, an arrangement, such as shown in Figs. 14: and 15, may be employed to lock the said wheel in an opposite direction after its movement in one direction has been arrested by one of the arms It. The forward edge of the locking-wheel rim is provided with a series of notches or teeth h" which may be stamped out at the same time as the rim itself. (See Figs. 16 and 17.) The perpendicularthat is, the workingfaces of'these teeth face in an opposite direction to the working-faces of the teeth 11, and they are placed in the same relative angular position as the said teeth H One of the teeth 71 is engaged by the salient end N of a locking-arm N after the typewheel has been arrested by one of the arms I aforesaid. The dotted arrow at the foot of Fig. 17 shows the direction in which the rebound of the type-wheel would take place. The arm N is pivoted, as at n, to the main frame A, near which point it is provided with a lateral arm N projecting toward the rear of the machin e and having a depending forked extension N The upper branch of this fork rests normally on the upper edge of the side J of the platen-raising frame J J J while the lower branch of the fork is located at a short distance below the lower edge of the said side. During the first portion of the downward movement of the frame J J J the arm N falls toward the rear of the machine and its salient upper end N comes in contact with the adjacent tooth h" and during the further movement of the frame necessary to complete the printing operation the said end is moved along the working-face of its tooth by the contact between thclower branch of the fork N and the under side of the arm J. On the return movement of the frame the arm N is brought back by it to its normal position and leaves the type-wheel free to revolve to its original position.

The type may be inked by an absorptive inking-roller M, Figs. 1, 2, and 7, which is mounted upon an axle carried by two pivoted depending arms m. One of these arms is provided with a horizontal arm m which is pressed upward by a spring 177). By this arrangement the inking-roller constantly bears with a yielding pressure againstthe type.

The sheet of paper Q, Fig. 6, is guided below the platen R by a guide-plate 0, Figs. 6 and 7. This guide-plate is extended at intervals in the form of tongues 0", which hug the side and top of the platen, so that the latter, on being turned by the hand-wheel 1' moves the paper forward as desired.

The mode of action of the machine is as follows: The type-wheel is first adjusted by the spring-catch device K K to the group of type with which it is desired to print. A type-key C is then depressed and causes a partial rotation of the typewvheel H by means of its lever C, the frame C and gearing F F, F, and K. As soon as the required type is in position for printing the wheel II is the type.

locked by one of the arms Ii. During the above depression of the type-key its lever O has also depressed the spacing-frame P P and moved the platen the necessary distance by the mechanism V I, V, V, t, T, and 25 By the time the type-wheel is locked and the platen in position the latter is locked by the pawl T and rack '1", and the locking-bar D (where such is used) has been moved so as to release the lever-shaft D. The continued pressure on the type-key now raises the shaft D (or still further depresses the frame C and actuates the platen-raising frame .I J J This frame during the first portion of its movement locks the type-wheel against rebound by the arm if, and continuing its movement it presses the paper against the type by means of its rearward arm J and the hinged bed S. made the contact between the toe J on said arm J and the pivoted piece J is broken and the bed S falls, drawing the paper away from Immediately afterward the movement of the type-key lever is arrested by the bottom of its slot 0 On releasing the said lever the whole of the parts, with the exception of the platen, are returned to their normal positions by their various returningsprings, (be. The machine is now ready for another or the same key to be depressed to produce the next impression.

In describing the foregoing parts of the machine it has been assumed that the matter was printed from left to right. The machine could, however, be arranged to print from right to left; also,the styleof the printed characters may be varied by having a series of similar type-wheels, each bearing characters of a particular style, any one of which wheels may be readily changed for any other by taking out the screws 1;, Fig. 1, removing the covers b, and disconnecting the wheel from its shaft.

I declare that. what I claim is- 1. In a type-writer, the combination, with an oscillatory type-wheel II and a series of depressible type-key levers O, of a series of depressible levers E, lying transverselybelow the said levers C and having a series of striking-points,-each located at a different distance below its respective lever Cand adapted to be struck thereby, a series of pivoted locking-arms L, corresponding in number to the said depressible transverse levers E and each provided with a lateral projection engaged by one of said levers E, and a series of locking-teeth II, movable synchronously with the type-wheel and arranged,as described, in circles of equal number with arms L, the outer ends of which are each adapted to engage in one direction any tooth in its own particular circle of teeth, whereby the typewheel is locked by the depression of a typekey lever prior to the performing of the printing operation, substantially as described.

2. In a type-writer, the combination, with an oscillatory type-wheel II and a series of As soon as the impression is depressible type-key levers C, of a series of depressible levers E, pivoted at one end upon the main frame of the machine and lying transversely below said lovers 0, a series of striking-pins c on said levers E, each adapted to be struck by its respective lever C and each having its upper end located at a differcnt distance below the same, a series of approximately upright. locking-arms L, pivoted at their lower ends upon the main frame and each having a lateral projection L engaged by the free end of its corresponding lever E, and a similar series of locking-wheels II", arranged side by side upon the type-wheel shaft, as described, and provided with a series of locking-teeth H having the same relative angular posit-ion as the type and each adapted to be engaged in one direction by the upper end L of its corresponding locking-arm L, substantially as described.

3. In a type-writer, the combination, with a type -wheel 11 and a series of type-key levers ('1', of a series of pivoted depressible levers E, lying transversely below the said levers C, a series of striking-points a, arranged, as described, on said levers E, a series of pivoted locking-arms L, each engaged, as described, by its corresponding lever E, and a skeleton locking-wheel on the type-wheel shaft, having a series of step-like teeth H arranged in its rim, as described, and each adapted to be engaged in one direction by the upper end L of its corresponding locking-arm L, substantially as set forth.

4:. In a type-writer, a series of parallel typekey levers Cand aseries of teeth H movable with the typewheel and arranged, as described, in parallel circles, in combination with a series of parallel depressible levers E, corresponding in number to the said circles of teeth and lying transversely below the levers C, a series of striking-pins e on said levers E, each arranged, as described, with reference to its respective lever O, and a series of locking devices, each actuated by one of the said levers E and each adapted to engage the teeth in one of said circles in one direction, substantially as described.

5. In a type-writer,a series of pivoted typewheel-locking arms L", a correspondingseries of transverse arm-operating levers E, and a series of type-key levers 0, adapted to depress said levers E, as described,in combination with a fixed abutment L, adapted to arrest the movementof said locking-arms, a flexible device e e on the free end of each of said levers E and engaging with a lateral projection L on its corresponding locking arn1 L, and an approximately horizontal link E,pivoted at one end on a fixed horizontal axis, and having at its opposite end pivot e, forming a fulcrum for said levers E, whereby any one of the latter may be depressed by a type-key lever after the arrestof its corresponding locking-arm L substantially as and for the purpose described.

"6. In a type-writer, the pivoted type-wheellocking arms L, the transverse arm-operating levers E, and the type-key levers 0, adapted to depress the latter, as described, in' combination with guide-pins e for the free ends of the levers E, a fixed perforated guideplate 0 for said pins, lever-elevating springs 6 6 a stop 0 limiting the upward movement of the pivot ends of said levers E, a rigidjaw c on the free end of each lever E and adapted to engage the under side of a lateral projectionon its corresponding locking-arm L, and a heel Z on each of said arms, adapted to bear normally against a fixed abutment, whereby the said levers E are'guided in their movements and both they and their locking-arms are returned to their normal positions after each operation, substantially as set forth.

7. In a type-writer,the combination,with a sliding platen R and a reciprocatory spacingrack T connected therewith, as described, of a pin t, projecting laterally from said rack, and a pivoted word-spacing lever G having an upturned rear end G5 located normally with its inclined face in close proximity to one side of said pin, whereby the platen is drawn along to space a word at each depression of the front end of said lever, substantially as described.

S. In a type-writer, the combination, with the reciprocatory spacing-rack T, the pin t thereon, and the rack-returning springt", of a rocking Word-spacing lever G having an inclined rear end G located as described, leverstops G G and lever-returning spring G substantially as described.

9. In a type-writer, the combination, with a series of depressible type-key levers O anda reciprocatory spacing-rack T, connected, as described, with a sliding platen R, of a normall y-elevated spacing-frame, as P P, hinged at one edge and having its opposite edge lying transversely below and adapted to be depressed to the same point by any one of said levers, an upright oscillatory arm V, having itsouterend in engagement with said spacingrack and movable synchronously with the said frame, and suitably-proportioned mechanism connecting said arm andframe, whereby the platen is drawn along the. necessary distance to space a character at each depression of a type-key lever, substantially as described.

lO. In a type-writer, the combination, with a series of depressible type-key levers having a constant travel and a reciprocatory spacingrack '1, connected, as described, with a sliding platen R, of a spring-raised spacingframe P P, hinged at its rear edge, as at a, and having its front bar P lying transversely to the said levers and in contact With their under sides, an upright link V connected at. one end to the side P of said frame, an approximately horizontal and oscillatory arm V engaged at its outer end by the opposite end of said link, an upright arm V, movable with said arm I, and a laterally-projecting pin t on the rack engaged in one direction by the outer end of the arm V, substantially as described.

1].. In a type-writer, a platen R, sliding platen-frame R, p'awl t thereon, and reciprocatory spacing-rack T, having its teeth adapted to be engaged in a given direction by said pawl,in combination with a similarly-pitched rack T, movable with said frame and having its teeth adapted to be engaged in the same direction as those of the rack T, and a lockingpaw1T mounted in proximity to said rack T and not movable therewith and in engagement during each Operative si roke of the printing mechanism, whereby the platen is firmly locked in position just prior to and during the moment of printing, substantially as described.

12. In a type-writer, a platen R, sliding platen R, pawl 15 thereon, reciprocatory spacing-rack T, adapted to be engaged, as described, by said pawl, and platen-frame bed S, supporting said rack, in combination with a similarly-pitched locking-rack T, secured to the under side of the platen-frame, a lockingpawl T mounted on the said bed S and adapted to engage said rack T in the same direction as the engagement of the pawl 15 and rack T, a lateral projection T on said pawl T and an inclined shoe T movable with said spacing-rack T and adapted to engage said projection, as described, whereby the platen is firmly locked in position prior and during the moment of printing, substantially as described.

13. In a type-writer, the combination, with a platen-bed S,hinged at one end, as described, of a projection s on the opposite end of said bed, a similar projection s on the machinebed, serving as an abutment for the projection 8 a guide-pin s on one of said proj ctions and resting within a tubular recess in the other projection, and the bed-supporting spring 3 surrounding both pin and projections, substantially as described.

14. In a type-writer, the type-wheel II, in echanism for locking the same, hinged frame C", geared with the type-wheel, and type-key levers 0, adapted to strike the front edge of said frame and depress the same, in combination with a lever-carrying shaft I), mounted in elongated vertical bearings (i a locking de vice holding said shaft normally in its lowest position, and means adapted to disconnect said shaft and locking device as soon as the type-Wheel is locked, whereby the levers C may be depressed after the locking of the type-Wheel, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In a type-writer, a series of depressible type-key levers C, an oscillatory spacingframe P P, adapted to be depressed by said levers, a hinged type-wheel-operating frame 0, also adapted to be depressed by said levers, as described, and mechanism for simultaneously locking both frame C and type-wheel, in combination with a horizontal lever-carry ing shaft D, capable of a limited upward movement, projections D on the upper side of said shaft, a sliding locking-bar I), lying parallel to said shaft and having projections D bearing normally against the upper faces of said shaftprojections D and an upright oscillatory arm D, engaging said bar and movable synchronously with said oscillatory frame P P, substantially as described.

16. In a type-writer, the combination of a horizontal lever-shaft D, capable of a limited upward movement, levers C thereon, oscillatory spacing-frame P P, adapted to be depressed thereby, link V connected at one end to said frame, horizontal arm V engaged by opposite end of said link, upright arm D on said arm V sliding locking-bar D, having a forked piece D engaged by said arm D and projections D on said bar, having their lower faces bearing against the upper faces of corresponding projections D on the upper side of said shaft D, substantially as set forth.

1?. In a type-Writer, the combination, with a horizontal lever-shaft D, capable of a limited amount of upward movement, and a series of levers C, each adapted to raise said shaft, as described, of the hooked links d depending from said shaft, the flat springs (Z 011 the main frame, and the link-pins c, engaged on their upper sides by said springs, whereby the shaft is returned to its normal position after the release of a lever O, substantially as described.

18. In a type-writer, the combination, with a series of depressible type-key levers 'C, a type-wheel H, a platen R below the same, and a hinged platen-bed S, of a platen-operating frame J J J hinged at its rear edge J to the main frame of the machine and having its front bar J lying transversely below said levers and adapted to be struck and directly depressed thereby, and a rearwardly-projecting arm J on said operatingframe connected at its outer end with the free end of the bed S, whereby the platen is raised toward the type-wheel through the medium of a depressed type-key lever, substantially as set forth.

19. In a type-writer, a series of depressible type-key levers C. an oscillatory type-wheel H, a sliding platen R belowthe same, a hinged platen-bed S, type-wheel adjusting and locking mechanism adapted to be operated by any one of said levers during a definite initial portion of its downward travel, and a platenadjusting device, also operated during such portion of any levers downward travel, in combination with a platen-operating frame J J J hinged at its rear edge to the main frame of the machine and having its front bar J lying transversely below said levers and adapted to be depressed by any one of the same during a definite terminal portion of its downward travel. and a rearwardly-projecting arm J on said operating-frame and connected at its outer end with the free end of the hinged bed S, whereby the platen is raised Ice - to print by the depression of a type-key lever after the adjusting of the platen and the adjusting and locking of the type-wheel, substantially as set forth.

20. In a type-writer, a series of depressible type-key levers C, a type-wheel H, a platen R below the same, and a hinged platen-carrying bed S, supported normally in a given position, in combination with a hinged platenoperating frame J J J", adapted to be depressed at its front edge by said levers, a rearwardly-projecting arm J on said frame, having an upturned toe J with a salient upper end and a salient projection j on the bed S, bearing upon the said upper end and having its forward face a suitable distance in advance of the rear face of said end, whereby the platen is raised against the type-wheel and instantly falls away therefrom prior to the release of the depressed type-key lever, substantially as described.

21. In a type-writer, the depressible typekey levers C, type-wheel H, platen R below the same, and hinged platen-carrying bed S, support-ed normally in a given position, in combination with a hinged depressible frame J J J below said levers, a rearwardly-projecting arm J thereon, a toe J 4 011 the outer end of said arm, having a salient upper end, a salient projection j, bearing, as described, upon the said end, a counterbalanced piece J carrying said projection and pivoted on the bed S, as at j, in the rear of said toe, a devicef, adapted to limit the forward movement of said projection, a frame-returning spring J and frame-stops J substantially as described.

22. In atype-writer, the type-keylevcrs C, spacing-frame P P, adapted to be depressed thereby, reciprocatory spacing-rack T, means for arresting the forward movement of said rack on the completion of the spacing operation, and mechanism, as described, connecting said frame and rack, in combination with a stiff spring-connection, as 12 located at a suitable point in said mechanism, whereby the spacing-frame may be depressed by said levers after the completion of the spacing operation, substantially as and for the purpose described.

23. In a typcvriter, a skeleton lockingwheel having its rim formed of a single strip 71 of sheet metal and having its step-like teeth H formed in said strip in oblique parallel rows, substantially as described.

2t. In a type-writer, a type-wheel H, adapted to be turned for a limited distance from a zero-point, a series of locking-teeth H movable synchronously with the type-Wheel and having the same relative angular position as the type thereon, and means adapted to engage any one of said teeth in one direction as soon as the type-wheel is turned through the required angle, in combination with a similar series of teeth h also movable synchronously with the type-wheel, a locking device adapted to engage any one of said teeth h in a direction opposite to the engagement of the teeth H and means for operating such device after said engagement of the teeth H and prior to the actual printing operation, whereby the rebound or vibration in the type- Wheel during such operation is prevented, substantially as set forth.

25. In a type-writer, a type-wheel H, adapted to be turned for a limited distance from a zeropoint, alocking-wheel on the type-Wheel shaft, having a series of teeth H arranged as described, on its periphery, and means, as L, adapted to engage said teeth in one direction, in combination with a series of teeth h arranged as described, on the forward edge of said locking-wheel and having their workingedges facing in an opposite direction to those of the teeth H an upright arm N, pivoted as at n, and having its upper salient end N located in proximity to and adapted to engage said teeth h a hinged platen-raising frame J J J adapted to be depressed, as described, after the locking of the type-wheel, and a rearwardly-projecting arm N on the lower end of said arm N and provided with a forked piece N bearing normally with its upper branch against the upper edge of the side J of said frame and having its lower branch located at a suitable distance below the under edge of said side J, whereby rebound or vibration in the type-wheel during the printing operation is prevented, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

F. MYERS.

Witnesses:

GEO. G. DYMOND, H. P. SHOOBRIDGE. 

